NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly condemned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks about the last rites of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, calling it an example of “deceptive politics.”
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra criticized Gandhi for politicizing the mourning of the late leader, claiming that such comments were inappropriate on a day when the nation was paying tribute to Singh’s legacy.
READ ALSO: 4 dead, over 200 roads closed as fresh snowfall disrupts Himachal Pradesh and J&K
READ ALSO: Mika Singh recalls Salman Khan’s request to replace ‘Katrina’ with ‘Jacquelina’
BJP slams Rahul Gandhi for politicizing Manmohan Singh’s last rites
Patra responded to Gandhi’s X post, where the Congress leader accused the government of disrespecting Singh by conducting his last rites at Nigambodh Ghat, a public cremation ground in North Delhi.
“The kind of deceptive politics Congress has engaged in, especially Rahul Gandhi, is unfortunate,” said BJP MP during press conference.
He added, “Just an hour ago, Rahul Gandhi tweeted accusing the BJP of disrespecting former PM Manmohan Singh by conducting his last rites at Nigam Bodh Ghat.”
“On a day of mourning, I believe Congress should have refrained from this kind of politics,” Patra went on to say.
VIDEO | Odisha: "The kind of deceptive politics Congress has engaged in, especially Rahul Gandhi, is unfortunate. Just an hour ago, Rahul Gandhi tweeted accusing BJP of disrespecting former PM Manmohan Singh by conducting his last rites at Nigambodh Ghat…. On a day of mourning,… pic.twitter.com/tN0J2jedjS
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 28, 2024
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, criticized the Modi government for the way former PM Manmohan Singh’s last rites were conducted, shortly before this.
In an X post, Gandhi, who frequently refers to the former PM as his “mentor,” voiced his dissatisfaction with the decision to conduct Singh’s final rites at Nigambodh Ghat, a public cremation ground in North Delhi.
“The great son of India and the first Prime Minister of the Sikh community, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji has been totally insulted by the present government by performing his last rites today at the Nigambodh Ghat,” Gandhi wrote on X.
भारत माता के महान सपूत और सिख समुदाय के पहले प्रधानमंत्री डॉ मनमोहन सिंह जी का अंतिम संस्कार आज निगमबोध घाट पर करवाकर वर्तमान सरकार द्वारा उनका सरासर अपमान किया गया है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 28, 2024
एक दशक के लिए वह भारत के प्रधानमंत्री रहे, उनके दौर में देश आर्थिक महाशक्ति बना और उनकी नीतियां आज भी देश के…
Gandhi, a strong critic of the current NDA government, argued that Singh, who served as India’s Prime Minister for a decade, should be accorded the utmost respect.
“To date, respecting the dignity of all former Prime Ministers, their last rites were performed at authorized burial sites so that every person could have the last darshan and pay homage without any inconvenience,” he added.
He continued, “Dr Manmohan Singh deserves our highest respect and a memorial. The government should have shown respect to this great son of the country and his proud community.”
As soon as the Gandhi’s words about respecting Singh went viral on platform X, users stood in support of the congress leader.
A user wrote, “Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji’s legacy speaks for itself. A visionary leader who transformed India into an economic powerhouse. His final journey deserved more respect, not just from the government, but from all of us. A true leader, a true son of India.”
Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji’s legacy speaks for itself. A visionary leader who transformed India into an economic powerhouse. His final journey deserved more respect, not just from the government, but from all of us. A true leader, a true son of India.
— Astitva (@astitvapandeyx) December 28, 2024
Another added, “Former Prime Ministers should have their memorials at places like Raj Ghat, where other renowned world acclaimed India’s national leaders are commemorated, ensuring a site for public homage and remembrance.”
The comment further read, “Traditionally, Nigambodh ghat location does not provide the dignity and honor to former Prime Ministers. This is Complete disrespect towards first Sikh Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh ji and the Sikh community.”
Former Prime Ministers should have their memorials at places like Raj Ghat, where other renowned world acclaimed India’s national leaders are commemorated, ensuring a site for public homage and remembrance. Traditionally, Nigambodh ghat location does not provide the dignity and…
— Ashfaq Ahmed (@AshfaqInc) December 28, 2024
The third commentator remarked, “The BJP government has always opposed Manmohan Singh, made disrespectful comments about him, and even took political revenge after his death without giving him the respect he deserved!”
भाजपा सरकार ने हमेशा मनमोहन सिंह का विरोध किया उनके लिए अभद्र भाषा में टिप्पणी की ओर उनकी मृत्यु के बाद भी राजनीतिक बदला लिया और उनको सम्मान नही दिया !
— Surbhi Maradiya (@SurabhiMaradiya) December 28, 2024
“This meanness of the BJP government and doing politics even on this sad occasion will cost them dearly, the country will never forget the insult to Manmohan ji,” wrote a critic of BJP.
This meanness of the BJP government and doing politics even on this sad occasion will cost them dearly, the country will never forget the insult to Manmohan ji.
— Mohammed Zaheer 🇮🇳 (@CmaZaheer) December 28, 2024
Other chimed in, “Performing the last rites of Dr. Manmohan Singh at Nigambodh Ghat is a gross insult to his honor. This great leader, who made India an economic superpower, deserves to be given a memorial site like other former Prime Ministers.”
डॉ. मनमोहन सिंह जी का निगमबोध घाट पर अंतिम संस्कार करना उनके सम्मान का घोर अपमान है। भारत को आर्थिक महाशक्ति बनाने वाले इस महान नेता को पूर्व प्रधानमंत्रियों की तरह समाधि स्थल का सम्मान मिलना चाहिए।
— Gujarat Pradesh Congress Sevadal (@SevadalGJ) December 28, 2024
On the other hand, several netizens questioned Patra’s statement, asking how former BJP Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was given a respectful cremation.
A person asked, “Atal ji was not cremated at Nigam Bodh Gath and right so but why MMS ji?”
Atal ji was not cremated at Nigam Bodh Gath and right so but why MMS ji?
— Jay 🇮🇳 (@SharmaJay23) December 28, 2024
A comment read, “Haan vajpayee ji ka to pura procedure follow hua tha”
Haan vajpayee ji ka to pura procedure follow hua tha
— DIPAK KUMAR (@dipak4632) December 28, 2024
This article includes statements made by various individuals and organizations on the internet. CS News is unable to verify these claims and does not endorse the opinions or assertions shared online.
